'Hay bale’ art will be back

PANAMA CITY — A replacement for a well-known “hay bale” art display that was destroyed in a Nov. 4 fire will be installed soon.

JACQUELINE BOSTICK / The News Herald

PANAMA CITY — A replacement for a well-known “hay bale” art display that was destroyed in a Nov. 4 fire will be installed soon.

Though the identity of the person who set fire to the display at Bauman Chiropractic on U.S. 231 at Transmitter Road remains a mystery, Dr. Reid Bauman said it has become more “top of mind” for the local community.

Since the incident, Bauman said his office has received several calls inquiring about the Bauman Chiropractic Hay Bale Art Challenge; the office also received calls from concerned residents about the burning.

Nearly three weeks after the burning another bale has been built and will be installed soon.

Bauman and a handful of local men started building it a couple of weeks ago, he said. The bales are homemade and not actually hay; they are comprised of carpet, plywood and wire.

“The hay bale will be back,” said Bauman. “We will have a nice Christmas display hopefully by the middle of next week.”

The display is not just a whimsical attraction. Bauman Chiropractic uses it in a Hay Bale Art Challenge as a way for nonprofit groups to raise money. The groups design their own hay bale, then photos of the decorated bales are posted on the Bauman website and the public votes on their favorite. Each group that participates receives $50, but the first place winner gets $300 and second place receives $100.

Bauman initially learned about the fire from his answering service and, soon afterward, he received a phone call from Battalion Chief Larry Leonard, he said.

The hay bale was spotted by drivers about 6 a.m. on Nov. 4.

It was the first time the bales had been vandalized, besides one other incident, Bauman said, about six to eight years ago when a person took an accessory from the display.

In response to the fire, Bauman said his staff has already taken steps to guard the displays and — though not expecting more vandalism — hope it will prevent and discourage future destructive attempts.

He noted that his initial feeling after learning about the fire was one of shock, hoping “it wasn’t burning down other stuff.”